Dahlia plant named &#39;daatten&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DAATTEN’, characterized by its compact growth with cylindrical upright to slightly spreading shape; stiff and strong lateral stems and thick single and compound leaves with up to 3 leaflets; color of mature leaves RHS 147A (upper side), RHS 191B (Underside); compound leaves 12-18 cm in length, and 12-15 cm in width and single leaves 6-13 cm in length and 6-9 cm in width; composite flower heads 11-12 cm in diameter with a large number of ray florets (about 120 to 140); and white ray florets (RHS 155B/155C) with small area of yellow near base (RHS 1B).

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Dahlia Cav.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DAATTEN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahliaplant, botanically known as Dahlia Cav., of the Compositae (Asteraceae)family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DAATTEN’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Rune Nielsen, in Stige, Denmark. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia cultivarwith an upright, strong and healthy growth habit, suitable for largescale container production and with good garden performance; fullydouble flowers creating globular-shaped flower head (composite flowerheads with many ray florets) with an attractive inflorescence color.

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross, made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor in 2006, in Stige, Denmark. The femaleor seed parent is white Dahlia variety designated 4416B (not patented).The male or pollen parent is a yellow colored Dahlia variety designated5218A (not patented).

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by terminal cuttings wasfirst performed in November, 2007 in Stige, Denmark, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true totype.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘DAATTEN’, which in combination distinguishthis Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact cultivar, with cylindrical upright to slightly spreadingshape;

2. Compact cultivar with stiff and strong lateral stems and thick singleand compound leaves, with up to 3 leaflets. Color of mature leavesyellow-green (RHS 147A) (upper side), greyed-green (RHS 191B)(Underside);

3. Compound leaves 12-18 cm in length, and 12-15 cm in width. Singleleaves 6-13 cm in length and 6-9 cm in width;

4. Composite flower heads, 11-12 cm in diameter, with a large number ofray florets (about 120 to 140); and

5. White ray florets (RHS 155B/155C) with small area of yellow near base(RHS 1B).

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DAATTEN’ differ from plants of the parents,4416B (unpatented) and 5218A (unpatented) in the traits described inTable 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parent Varieties Female Parent Male Parent NewCultivar 4416B 5218A Trait ‘DAATTEN’ (unpatented) (unpatented) PlantSize Height: About 25-30 cm. About 25-30 cm. About 30-45 cm. Diameter:About 40-45 cm. About 35-40 cm. About 40-45 cm. Overall PlantCylindrical, Cylindrical, Upright to Shape: upright, with upright, withspreading, with basal branching. basal branching. basal branching.Inflorescences in Inflorescences in Inflorescences in composite heads.composite heads. composite heads. Stem Length: 8-18 cm. 8-16 cm. 8-18cm. Diameter: 8-12 mm 8-12 mm 8-12 mm Strength: Stiff and strong. Stiffand strong. Medium strong. Color: RHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 144A(yellow-green). (yellow-green). (yellow-green). Number of About 15.About 12. About 15. Inflorescence heads per Plant: Flower About 11-12cm. About 10 cm. About 12 cm. (Capitalum) Diameter: Color of ray RHS155B/155C RHS 155B Yellow cactus florets (white), RHS 1B (white).flower. Upper side: (green-yellow) near the base.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DAATTEN’ is the Dahlia cultivar‘Gallery Art Fair’, in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Comparison Variety New Cultivar ComparisonCultivar Trait ‘DAATTEN’ ‘Gallery Art Fair’ Plant Size Height: About25-30 cm. About 25-30 cm. Diameter: About 40-45 cm. About 40-45 cm.Overall Plant Shape: Cylindrical, Cylindrical, upright, with upright,with basal branching. basal branching. Inflorescences in Inflorescencesin composite heads. composite heads. Stem Length: 8-18 cm. 8-18 cm.Diameter: 8-12 mm 8-12 mm Strength: Stiff and strong. Stiff and strong.Color: RHS 144A RHS 144A (yellow-green). (yellow-green). Leaves: TextureRugose. Glabrous, shining. Colour mature RHS 147A RHS N189A upperside:(yellow-green) (greyed-green) Number of Inflorescence About 15. About10. heads per Plant: Bud color RHS 144B RHS 151C (yellow-green)(yellow-green) Flower (Capitalum) About 11-12 cm. About 12 cm. Diameter:Color of ray florets RHS 155B/155C RHS 155B/155C Upper side: (white),RHS 1B (white), RHS 1B (green-yellow) (green-yellow) near the base. nearthe base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dahlia ‘DAATTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘DAATTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of the composite flower head from‘DAATTEN’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘DAATTEN’ in a 19 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after potting the youngplant.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of different development stages of thecomposite flower head of ‘DAATTEN’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the 120-140 ray florets from onecomposite flower head of ‘DAATTEN’

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of the different single leaf sizes of‘DAATTEN’.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of the different compound leaf sizes of‘DAATTEN’.

FIG. 7 shows a comparison between ‘Gallery Art Fair’ and ‘DAATTEN’,(Breeders reference: 5871G).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DAATTEN’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia ‘DAATTEN’as grown in a protected environment in a glass greenhouse in Fyn,Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted ina glasshouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in small propagation potswith peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastic tunnel averagingabout 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of 18 hours.Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In third week afterplanting the cutting, young plants were potted in an 19 cm pot in aglass covered greenhouse, maintained at 18 ° C. to 22° C. during theday, and at 17 ° C. to 19° C. during the night. Photoperiodic treatmentswere continued at 18 hours, and supplementary light was given whennatural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water.The EC measured in the soil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0. One weekafter potting, the first growth regulation was given: a spray with 85%daminozide, 0.2%, 40-100 ml/m2. During the production time, 9 additionalsprayings were given with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40-100 ml/m2.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under March daylightconditions at approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense,Denmark. The age of the ‘DAATTEN’ plants described is 15 weeks(including propagation time).

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia Cav.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia variety designated 4416B            (Unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Dahlia variety designated 5218A            (Unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Vegetative terminate cuttings.        -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—About 9 to 12 days            at 21° C. in tunnels or flat covered in a greenhouse.        -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted young plant.—About            28 days at 21° C. during rooting phase, followed by 18° C.        -   Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous; Color of root: RHS 158A            Yellow-white.        -   Tuber development.—Plants might develop tubers in late fall            when planted outside.-   Plant description:    -   -   General appearance and form.—Cylindrical, upright, with            basal branching. Inflorescences in composite heads.        -   Growth rate.—Growing about 4 to 6 cm per week during            production period.        -   Plant height (from soil level to top of plant plane).—About            25 cm to 30 cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—About 40 cm to 45 cm.        -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—It requires 3            to 4 weeks to produce a young plant in a 35 mm propagation            plug. After potting 9 to 12 weeks are required to produce            finished flowering plants in 19 cm pots.-   Stem:    -   -   Shape.—Round.        -   Length.—About 8 cm to 18 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 8 mm to 12 mm.        -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to outward.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous, slightly furrowed.        -   Color.—Mature: RHS 144A. Immature: RHS 144A.-   Branches:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching with small lateral            branches.        -   Number of basal branches per plant.—About 3-5 (when pinched            above 3 pair of leaves).        -   Length (including flowers).—About 8 cm to 18 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 8 mm to 12 mm.        -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to spreading.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—Mature: RHS 144A. Immature: RHS 144A.        -   Internodes length.—About 15 to 20 mm.        -   Internodes color.—RHS 144A.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Type.—Lower leaves: Single. Middle leaves: Compound, 3            lobed. Upper leaves: Single.        -   Number of leaves per branch.—About 8 to 12 per branch.        -   Color of leaves (leaves and leaflets).—Color of upper side            (mature) RHS 147A Color of underside (mature) RHS 191B Color            of upper side (immature) RHS 138A Color of underside            (immature) 138A.        -   Venation (leaves and leaflets).—Pattern: Pinnate Color of            upper side: RHS 148A Color of underside: RHS 146A.-   Compound leaves:    -   -   Number of leaflets per compound leaf.13 3.        -   Length of compound leaf.—12 cm to 18 cm.        -   Width of compound leaf.—12 cm to 15 cm.        -   Petiole of compound leaves.—Shape: Semi circular, with deep            furrow on adaxial side. Length: 2.5 cm to 5 cm. Diameter: 3            mm to 6 mm. Texture: Smooth and glabrous. Color: RHS 146B.        -   Leaflets of compound leaf.—leaflet quantity: 1 Terminal            leaflet length: 8 cm to 13 cm. Terminal leaflet width: 5 cm            to 8 cm. Terminal leaflet shape: Ovate. Terminal leaflet            shape at apex: Acuminate. Terminal leaflet shape at base:            Cordate to rounded. Terminal leaflet margin: Dentate.            Terminal leaflet texture (both sides): Rugose. Rachis            length: 1 cm to 2 cm. Rachis Diameter: 3 mm to 4 mm. Rachis            color: RHS 146B. Lateral leaflet quantity: 2 Lateral leaflet            length: 6 cm to 8 cm. Lateral leaflet width: 4 cm to 6 cm.            Lateral leaflet overall shape: Ovate. Lateral leaflet shape            at apex: Acuminate (asymmetric). Lateral leaflet shape at            base: Rounded. Lateral leaflet margin: Dentate. Lateral            leaflet texture (both sides): Rugose.-   Simple leaves: Simple leaves overall shape: Ovate. Simple leaves    shape at apex: Acuminate. Simple leaves shape at base: Cordate to    rounded. Simple leaves length: 6 cm to 13 cm. Simple leaves width: 6    cm to 9 cm. Simple leaves margin: Dentate. Simple leaves texture:    Rugose. Petiole shape: Semi circular, with deep furrow on adaxial    side. Petiole length: 2.5 cm to 5 cm. Petiole diameter: 3 mm to    6 mm. Petiole texture: Smooth and glabrous. Petiole color: RHS 146B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,            flowering occurs continuously during growing season from            spring to autumn (In Denmark, from June to beginning of            October). Plants can be brought to flower anytime when grown            under the recommended greenhouse conditions.        -   Time to flower.—60 to 80 days from potting a young plant            until flowering.        -   Inflorescence longevity on the plant.—Inflorescence will            maintain good color and substance for about 6-10 days;            however, the longevity of individual inflorescence is highly            dependent on temperature and light conditions. Inflorescence            persistent.        -   Type.—Composite flower heads.        -   Arrangement and shape.—Persistent, single, composite            inflorescences from leaf axils. Disc and ray florets            arranged acropetally in a composite flower head. Upright,            slightly spreading. Terminal young flower head/buds            initially 0-20°. Buds from axillary shoots 1-60°. When            flower opens 0-30°.        -   Quantity of inflorescences heads.—Freely flowering; about 15            buds and open inflorescences per plant.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Bud (inflorescences head).—        -   Rate of opening (from showing color to fully open).—4 to 10            days. The rate of opening is highly dependent on temperature            and light conditions. Length: About 12-14 mm. Diameter:            About 16-22 mm. Shape: Flat globular. Texture: Glabrous,            shining. Color RHS 144A developing into RHS 144B.        -   Peduncle.—From both terminate and axillary shoots. Length:            About 4-12 cm. Diameter: About 3-5 mm. Angle: About 0-20°            from vertical. Strength: Stiff and strong. Texture:            Glabrous. Color: RHS 144A.        -   Inflorescence head.—Depth (height): 6-7 cm. Diameter: 11-12            cm.        -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 9 to 14 whorls            of ray florets, each with 9 to 11 florets to equal a total            of about 120-140 ray florets per flower head, depending on            light and temperature conditions. Quantity per Inflorescence            head: 120-140. Length: 50 mm. Widths: 22-25 mm. Overall            shape: Obovate Apex shape: Obtuse Base shape: Acuminate,            slightly fused. Margin: Entire Texture: Glabrous (upper side            and underside). Colour when opening fused ray floret            starting to show RHS color: 160D. Colour when fully opened            Color upper side: RHS 155B/155C with RHS 1B at small area            near the base. Color underside: RHS 155C.        -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: 30-40 yellow-orange disc florets            arranged in center of inflorescence head. Apperance:            Quantity per Inflorescence head: 30-40. Length: 8-10 mm.            Diameter: 2 mm. Overall shape: Tubular. Apex shape: Star            with 5 triangular tips. Base shape: Fused to tube. Color RHS            17A, RHS 145C near base.        -   Phyllary.—Arrangement: One subtending each floret. Quantity:            120-140. Length: 12-22 mm. Width: 4-6 mm. Overall shape:            Rounded. Shape at apix: Acute with rounded tip. Shape at            base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Color: Mature: RHS 151B; RHS            146A on underside of the 8-10 phyllaries in the outer whorl            Immature: RHS 151B.        -   Bracts.—Arrangement and appearance: Reflexed, involucral            bracts. Quantity: 5. Length: 13-16 mm. Width: 6-8 mm.            Overall shape: Subulate. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape:            Sessile. Margin: Entire Texture: Glabrous. Colour mature            Upper side: RHS 137A Underside: RHS 137A Colour immature            Upper side: RHS 137A Underside: RHS 137A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Location: Disc florets only. Stamen number: 5,            fused into synandrous tube around style. Stamen length:            About 6-10 mm. Anther shape: Tubular. Anther length: About            5-6 mm. Pollen amount: Medium amount. Pollen color: RHS 21A.        -   Gynoecium.—Location: Ray and disc florets. Quantity: 1.            Pistil length: 6-10 mm. Stigma shape: Bifurcate. Stigma            length: About 2 mm. Stigma color: RHS 151C Style length:            About 4 mm. Style color: RHS 151C. Ovary color: RHS 151C.-   Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not been observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to    Dahlia has not been observed.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests    common to Dahlia has not been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Dahlia have exhibited good    tolerance to rain, wind and drought; however, flowering may cease    during hot periods (temperatures above 25° C.). Low temperature    tolerance to 1° C.-   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate    formulation).

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DAATTEN’, asillustrated and described herein.